Arrangement and method for means for receiving image data in mammography

Abstract

The imaging apparatus used in mammography generally having a cassette tunnel (17) or a similar space for the placement of an image data receiving device (14′) in the imaging area of the apparatus. In such a space or in its immediate vicinity, device (19) for moving the cassette in the space can be provided, thus making the imaging process in many ways faster and easier to carry out. Such device for moving the cassette can also be utilized in various ways to achieve a more versatile and more accurate use of the imaging apparatus.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an arrangement for image data receiving means, such as a film cassette or equivalent for use in mammography and to a method for image data receiving means used in mammography and to a mammography apparatus in which the image data receiving means can be used. In particular, the invention concerns solutions regarding the loading, removal and movement of the image data receiving means in the cassette tunnel or similar space of mammography apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The image data receiving means generally used in mammography are x-ray films placed in cassettes. Such cassettes are available in several different types, depending e.g. on the manufacturer of the cassette and the type of imaging the cassette is designed for. Often there are also differences between cassettes according to whether the film used in them is intended to be developed in a darkroom or e.g. in a special film development device. These so-ca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The object of the invention is to eliminate above-mentioned drawbacks in a profitable way that improves working comfort and ergonomics in the imaging process, which involves no need to enter or remove the film cassette through narrow holes or to move it in the cramped cassette tunnel of the mammography apparatus.

[0012]One of the objects of the invention is to enable a more efficient utilization of time especially in conjunction with mammographic screening studies by reducing the time spent between exposures.

[0013]A further object of the invention is to achieve an arrangement in which, when a cassette is being loaded into the mammography apparatus, an automatic system according to preferred embodiments of the invention seizes the cassette and drives it to the correct imaging position in the cassette tunnel, thus allowing the operator of the apparatus to proceed sooner to other actions in preparation for imaging.

Problems solved by technology

Often there are also differences between cassettes according to whether the film used in them is intended to be developed in a darkroom or e.g. in a special film development device.

However, handling the cassette in such a cramped tunnel, besides being difficult and awkward, is also time-consuming.

Especially in mammographic screening studies, in which the cassette may have to be changed as many as 50 times an hour, cassette handling alone takes up a considerable amount of time, and for an individual patient this means that the imaging operation, which many patients find unpleasant, takes an annoyingly long time.

However, the information given by a transillumination radiograph is not always sufficient in a diagnostic sense.

When controlled movement of the object to be imaged is difficult to achieve, as is the case in mammography, one can naturally seek for means for moving the imaging means.

However, independent movements of image data receiving means that may be needed during imaging have been difficult to implement in a desired manner because, if the structure of the apparatus has permitted such movements at all, they have had to be carried out manually.

In some mammography apparatus, difficulties have been encountered in getting the cassette correctly positioned in the imaging area.

If the cassette is in the wrong position, this may result in leaving part of the tissue to be imaged outside the area of which an image is formed on the film or other receiving medium, which may necessitate renewal imaging.

This creates extra work and an unnecessary additional exposure of the tissue to radiation.

Often the actions requiring handling of the cassette in the cassette tunnel have to be performed in ergonomically difficult working positions.

Especially in mammographic screening studies referred to above, there is a great risk of labeling errors occurring due to human factors.

And when human activities are concerned, it may even happen that some or even all of the data is not recorded at all when the labeling of an individual cassette or a whole batch of cassettes is accidentally neglected e.g. as a result of a lapse of memory.

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